Senior Laboratory Research Scientist – Spatial Profiling

Senior Laboratory Research Scientist – Spatial Profiling

MANIFEST Research Platform/Cancer Dynamics Laboratory

Reports to : Prof. Samra Turajlic, Cancer Dynamic Laboratory Group Leader and MANIFEST Consortium Lead,

Contract term : This is a full-time, fixed term (3 years) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

The role will be placed in the Cancer Dynamics Laboratory and will support the MANIFEST research platform led by Prof. Samra Turajlic.

Research Group & Project

The MANIFEST RESEARCH PLATFORM

Harnessing the immune system to treat cancer has revolutionised survival outcomes for many patients. Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies which unleash the brakes from immune cells to kill cancer cells, have become standard of care for many cancer subtypes. The success of existing, emerging and future immunotherapies and their routine use in the NHS is dependent on the appropriate tools, data and technology to rationalise their use and manage their side effects. Nevertheless, almost no biomarkers today can effectively distinguish responders from non-responders, predict toxicity, or guide treatment choices.

An exciting Senior Laboratory Research Scientist (SLRS) post is available for MANIFEST (“Multiomic ANalysis of Immunotherapy Features Evidencing Success and Toxicity”), a newly formed ambitious multi-stakeholder consortium involving academic, industry and NHS partners to deliver deep multiomic profiling for patients with cancer undergoing immunotherapy. The MANIFEST consortium represents a diverse group of UK-wide experts in cancer research and clinical care comprising major NHS trusts, academic institutes and universities, and industry partners. This grant is funded by the UK Office of Life Sciences (OLS) and the Medical Research Council (MRC).

MANIFEST addresses the critical challenge in cancer treatment: predicting how patients will respond to immunotherapy. By integrating multiomic data and innovative methodologies, this platform aims to enhance treatment precision and effectiveness.

More information can be found here: https://www.manifest-io.org.uk/about .

Summary of the role

The successful candidate will join the MANIFEST programme within the Cancer Dynamics research group and will work closely with the Experimental Histopathology Science Technology Platform (STP), providing advice, training, and expertise in a range of techniques to analyse human cancer specimens for translational research within the MANIFEST platform.  Their time will be spent in the lab, with a primary responsibility for optimising and performing automated Immunohistochemistry (IHC), multiplex Immunofluorescence (mIF), and RNAScope on tissue sections derived from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human cancer tissue blocks.

The post holder will also be involved in the development of new technologies relating to spatial transcriptomics and integrated proteomics with the opportunity to collaborate with leading technical platforms (Leica Bond RX, Akoya, 10X Genomics), as well as access to expertise across the broader consortium. Whilst the primary responsibility of the role is to support spatial multiomic  pipelines within the MANIFEST Histology platform, additional responsibilities will include slide scanning and image pre-processing plus general lab organisation/administration.

The post holder will report to the Group Leader Samra Turajlic and will interact closely with the Experimental Histopathology facility at the Crick, as well as with post-docs, students, scientists, technicians from the lab, and scientific partners of MANIFEST.

Within this role, there will be several opportunities for personal development including access to relevant training and courses, interactions with scientific partners and Key Opinion Leaders across the MANIFEST platform as well as opportunities for training and secondment in different research environments across the UK within the MANIFEST consortium.

Key Responsibilities

These include but are not limited to:

• Exemplifying and maintaining standards for the Histology platform

• Conducting experimental work autonomously and by own initiative as agreed with the Spatial Lead and Programme Lead

• Operating as a technical specialist in IHC/mIF and ISH (RNAScope) staining and spatial transcriptomics staining projects

• Interacting with and consulting collaboratively with researchers

• Actively supporting and training team members to develop their skills and promote collective success

• Use of knowledge to build on existing methodologies and innovate through Identification, assessment and development of new technologies, to expand the capabilities of the platform under guidance of Spatial lead

• Supporting and contributing to existing projects through effectively and efficiently performing established techniques

• Contribution to the day-to-day operations to ensure the laboratory runs as efficiently as possible, including reagent preparation, operation and maintenance of platform equipment, sample accession and preparation, maintenance of safety standards and general lab organisation

• Communication and participation in lab work discussions, lab meetings, spatial work meetings, to keep colleagues informed of developments

• Writing and presenting work to MANIFEST stakeholders as required

• Engaging in relevant MANIFEST programme workflows with academic, NHS and industry partners

• Striving for continuous performance improvement

• Maintaining professional development through attending meetings, seminars and reading relevant literature

Person Specification

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: Bold, Open, Collegiate, in addition to the following:

Essential skills/experience

• Degree (or equivalent) or extensive relevant experience

• Evidence of extensive experience/skills in IHC/IF and MIF

• Experience running Bond RX automated stainers

• Proven evidence of independent thinking, problem solving and troubleshooting

• Flexible working practice

• Ability to work with day-to-day independence but able to take direction when necessary

• High degree of self-motivation

• Ability to multi-task and integrate the demands of different activities in parallel to maintaining operation of the laboratory.

• Excellent skills in written and oral communication

• Computer literacy

• Open and interactive approach with line manager, laboratory colleagues and collaborators.

Desirable skills/experience

• PhD in a relevant discipline

• Experience with spatial transcriptomics platforms (CosMx, GeoMx, Visium, Xenium)

• Experience with High Plex platforms (>15plex – Akoya, Lunaphore)

• Experience in RNAScope (ISH) staining

• Experience in working in an academic environment

• Experience working in a service environment

• Experience in Image acquisition and analysis

About Us

At the Crick, we conduct research at the forefront of biomedical research. We combine rigour with an open and collaborative culture, and are outward-looking, reflecting our status as a partnership of six organisations aiming to pool knowledge, ideas and resources.

We have a wide research portfolio with no divisions or departments, bringing biomedical researchers together with clinicians, physical scientists and applied scientists from our pharmaceutical partners.

We aim to attract the most talented researchers and support them to tackle innovative research questions. Our science technology platforms provide our researchers with access to state-of-the-art technology and expertise.

We provide an excellent learning environment with dedicated education programmes in public engagement with science, education and personal development, and a postdoc training programme that prepares scientists for leadership roles in science.

• If you are interested in applying for this role, please apply via our website .

• All offers of employment are subject to successful security screening and continuous eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.

• If you require a visa to work in the UK we will help support your application should you be successful

Find out what benefits the Crick has to offer:

For more information on our great pay and benefits package please click here: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/pay-and-benefits

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.

Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute’s success.

The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.

Read more on our website: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/equality-diversity-and-inclusion